Set to stand as a voice for indigenous people throughout the Treaty process, the assembly will consist of 33 seats, 21 of which will be determined by a voting system undertaken by indigenous Victorians.
Our region, known as the North East region, has three seats designated with nine candidates up for election.
The News will be interviewing these individuals to hear their story and learn more about their motivations for joining the assembly.
Location: Shepparton
Occupation: Entrepreneur and young community leader
Indigenous heritage: Yorta Yorta, Wurundjeri, Warlpiri and Kurnai.
What inspired you to become a candidate?
I was part of the Deadly Questions campaign, which gave me a platform to be more informed about the Treaty process and helped me realise my own interpretation. I was also one of the faces of the Victorian Treaty campaign, which gave me the opportunity to speak about it to people who were intrigued and wanted to know more. I'm inspired by what is currently happening in Victoria for Aboriginals and people said I should go for it and that I would represent people well. I do a lot of work within the community helping to connect, inspire and motivate people and I want to be able to talk on that platform for my people and share this important process.
What changes/improvements would you like to see for indigenous people in the North East district?
The Treaty isn't going to fix all the issues affecting our people but I personally would love to help create a more self-empowering mindset and see our generational trauma programming be changed in a strengthening way. I want our people to be empowered and to have a better life, being less limited or confined of opportunities. In this happening, I think that's where the rates of drug and alcohol abuse, unemployment, family violence, kids not in education and kids in out-of-home care will start to change when we create a shift in community connection and support. We need the strength to change our own life and the lives of our families. I want to see a dramatic shift.
Why is Treaty important for you?
For me, Treaty is the missing link for acknowledgement, recognition and understanding for walking together as a state firstly but in the future as a nation. The Treaty process isn't for me personally, it's for our children. The change that it will have for the future generations to grow up in a country and a society where the truth is learnt and spoken about is important. There will be more of a level platform and more acceptance by the government, which will mean more presence on boards, in education and in workplaces. It is about being able to foresee opportunities that generations of my people before me were limited by and weren't able to have. Aboriginal people coming through will be able to be seen with equal advantage, not at a disadvantage. This has been a long time coming and this is the time for us to step up and voice our opinions.
Why would you be a good representative for the district?
I'm able to take myself out of the equation and think about those before and after me that the Treaty process will impact. I can use myself as a voice and am able to understand more of the history of our people as a country and the things that have happened. I want to be able to to talk about the truth, the fight and the victory and also speak to those who haven't been able to speak out before. I want to learn more about how others feel and think and take that into consideration. I want this to be a collaborative process for our elders and leaders through to the generations following. We all need to be involved in some way or another, whether we disagree or don't understand. I'm here to listen and I want to know more. I'm here for the benefit of my people and I'm proud to stand for that and to be open to the possibilities that are still to come.
Voting will be open from Monday, September 16 until Sunday, October 11.
All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to enrol and vote if they are aged 16 or above, are a Victorian traditional owner and live in Victoria, and have done so for at least three of the past five years.
For more information, visit firstpeoplesvic.org
READ MORE ABOUT THE TREATY PROCESS
Victorian Treaty Advancement Commissioner Jill Gallagher visits Shepparton
Call to support treaty talks
First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria North East district candidate: Michael Harding
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